Show Preview: Kevin Gates, Chevy Woods,Th3rd & D3, Stevo the Weirdo

[SOUTH IN YOUR MOUTH] When first listening to a record by Louisiana rapper Kevin Gates,
it’s pretty easy to pinpoint what makes him one of the most exciting
young talents in hip-hop: the voice. His booming, Southern-accented
baritone alternates between a growl and a bark, depending on his mood.
On his most recent mixtape, By Any Means, Gates is mainly going
for aggression. The record is packed with heavy trap anthems and
chest-puffing bravado. On “Keep Fucking With Me,” he goes into extreme
detail about what would happen if you got on his bad side, and it
legitimately sounds like you don’t want to be there. But it’s in the
moments when things slow down a bit that Gates really shows off his
talents, such as on the introspective “Movie,” where he uses his
gravelly drawl to harmonize with the beat and croak out some
heart-piercing notes. It’s a reminder that, despite his menacing
presence on the mic, this music thing is coming straight from his heart.
I was reminded of that personally when I met him last year. After
talking for a bit, Gates—a large, heavily tattooed figure—didn’t just
shake my hand, he hugged me. That’s when I realized he’s more than just a
voice.